Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to abandon Roma goalkeeper Alisson’s pursuit for two main reasons and move on to other targets in summer, according to reports. Current Reds keeper Simon Mignolet has lost his place to Loris Karius in recent weeks, with the latter starting in the 5-0 Champions League win at Porto on Tuesday.
Klopp has switched between Mignolet and Karius due to their unstable form this season. The fact that the shot-stoppers have put in unconvincing performances during this season has urged the Liverpool manager to get a new experienced goalkeeper at the end of the season.
Roma’s Alisson Becker is thought to be one of Liverpool’s top targets this summer. It has been suggested the Brazilian is being considered as a potential long-term number one for the Merseyside club following some fantastic performances in Serie A.
But Klopp wants to show faith in Karius and help him establish himself as the club’s No.1 goalkeeper rather than sign Alisson from Roma, reports the Telegraph.
Karius has put an impressive shift since becoming Liverpool’s No.1, managing clean-sheets in the games against Southampton and Porto.
The report adds that Klopp has taken a back step because of Roma’s asking price for the 25-year-old Alisson, believed to be at £70million.
The eye-catching figure for the Roma goalkeeper has left Klopp disinterested. Moreover, the boss is willing to give Karius a prolonged chance to secure his position at the club. If that isn’t the only case, the Reds’ earlier interest in Alisson is further complicated because of Mohamed Salah’s incredible form since joining Liverpool has prompted Roma to regret his cut-price sale at the start of the season.
The Merseysiders signed Salah for an initial £35million in the summer, although as per the Telegraph, the fee could rise based on several clauses.
“I think the price could’ve been better for Salah, but it did give us the possibility of making other moves,” Roma’s Director of Football, Monchi said.
“When I arrived, the Liverpool offer for Salah was €32m plus €3m in bonuses. In today’s football, players go wherever they want to.
“At the end of the day, we could reach €50m with bonuses, but at that moment we had to sell and that was an important option. The Neymar and Kylian Mbappé transfers changed the market, but at that moment it was necessary that we sell.”
As things stand, if Karius continues to impress in his role until the end of the current campaign, Klopp won’t have headaches regarding the goalkeeping position and could use the available funds to strengthen other positions in the team.
